Syntactic synonymy enables the speaker to use syntactic devices to say the same thing in a number of different ways. It is based on three criteria: (1) similarity of semantic content, (2) certain syntactic similarity between the components of the synonymous structures, and (3) differences in surface structures. The third criterion separates synonymous structures from mere sentence variants. Stylistic analyses can explain why the choice of a particular syntactic structure takes place, given that meanings are the same. For example, "for-to" complementation may be preferred over "that" complementation when the speaker wishes to accentuate the beneficiary of an action expressed in a main clause and to imply shades of meaning that "that"-clauses must state explicitly. Sentences with"for-to" complementation also appear in highly emotional speech, in rhetorical questions, and in the functions of intensifying, enumerating, and optimalising of communication. Usage of "for-to" is stylistically constrained when certain syntactic conditions exist, such as the occurrence of an infinitival verb-phrase following a clause complement predicate. Such choice of structures makes language more expressive, helps to avoid monotony, and adds variety. (PJM)